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Using a water flosser around implants, bridges and crowns

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In short

Ask your dentist or hygienist first, as they know your restoration. If they agree, use a soft or specialised tip, start on the lowest pressure and trace along the gumline around each implant or crown. For a bridge, aim the jet under the false tooth from both sides to flush the gap. Move slowly, keep the pressure comfortable and keep to the cleaning routine your dental team gives you.

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Implants, bridges and crowns need cleaning just like natural teeth, and the spaces around and under them can be awkward to reach with a brush or floss. Many people ask whether a water flosser can help, and which tips and settings to use. This guide explains the general technique makers describe for flossing around restorations. It is not a treatment plan. Your dentist or hygienist knows your mouth and the type of work you have, so check with them first and follow their advice.

Check with your dental team

Different restorations need different care. Your dentist or hygienist may suggest interdental brushes, special floss such as super floss, a water flosser or a combination. The NHS advises cleaning between your teeth and says your dental team can advise on the best method for you.

Ask them which pressure range is suitable, whether a particular tip is recommended and how often to clean around the work.

Tips for implants and bridges

Water flosser makers sell tips for different jobs. Waterpik offers a standard jet tip, a soft rubber-tipped option for pockets and tips with small tufts of bristles that some people use around implants, crowns and bridges. Philips and other brands have their own nozzles.

Check that any tip fits your flosser model, and change it as often as the manual suggests.

Reservoir (ml)Pressure dialPumpHosePause buttonRotating tip
A countertop water flosser: the pump draws water from the reservoir and sends it up the hose to the tip.
Tip typeTypical use
Standard jet tipGeneral flossing along the gumline
Tufted tipAround implants, crowns and bridges
Soft rubber tipAreas your dental team identifies
Orthodontic tipBrackets and wires
Common tip types and typical uses

Around an implant or crown

Implant crowns and crowns on natural teeth meet the gum at a margin that collects debris. Trace slowly along that margin.

  1. 1

    Fill the tank with lukewarm water and set the lowest pressure.

  2. 2

    Lean over the sink, place the tip in your mouth and switch on.

  3. 3

    Hold the tip at a right angle to the gumline.

  4. 4

    Trace slowly around the crown, pausing at each side.

  5. 5

    Do both the outside and the inside of the tooth.

  6. 6

    Switch off before removing the tip.

Under a bridge

A bridge has a false tooth, called a pontic, joined to the teeth on either side. Food can collect in the gap under the pontic. Aim the jet under the false tooth from the cheek side, then from the tongue side, moving slowly along its length to flush the gap.

A floss threader or super floss under the bridge is another common method; your dental team may suggest using both.

Pressure and comfort

Start on the lowest pressure and increase only if it is comfortable. A gentle, steady flow is easier to aim around restorations. If you notice pain, bleeding or a change in how the restoration feels, stop and contact your dentist rather than adjusting the routine yourself.

Our article on how a water flosser works explains pressure and pulse rate, and how often should you use a water flosser? covers routine.

Note:A water flosser is a cleaning aid, not a treatment. Follow your dentist's advice for implants, bridges and crowns.

Brushing still comes first

Brush twice a day for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, as the NHS advises, including around restorations. An electric toothbrush with a gentle mode and pressure sensor can help you keep a light touch; our guide to brushes with gentle modes and pressure sensors compares them.

If you want a brush and flosser in one, the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 appears in our best sonic electric toothbrush guide.

See gentle-mode brushes →

Choosing a flosser for restorations

If your dental team suggests a water flosser, the features that matter are a wide, low pressure range, a choice of tips and a tank big enough for a slow session. Countertop models usually have the widest pressure range and the most tip options, which helps when you are working carefully around several crowns or a bridge. Cordless models are easier to store and travel with but have smaller tanks and fewer settings. See cordless vs countertop water flosser for the trade-offs. Whichever you choose, check that tips for your specific needs are sold for that model before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a water flosser around implants? Many dental teams include one in an implant routine. Ask yours first.

Which Waterpik tip is for implants? Waterpik offers tufted tips that some people use around implants and bridges. Ask your hygienist which suits you.

How do I clean under a bridge with a water flosser? Aim the jet under the false tooth from both sides and move slowly along it.

Can I use a water flosser on a temporary crown? Ask your dentist, as temporary crowns can be less secure.

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